ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 24 (UPI) -- Russia has opened a new agency in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, The Times of Central Asia reported Friday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin flew to the Central Asian republic for the official opening, reflecting the importance Russia places on continuing close ties with the former Soviet republic which is now becoming a major global oil producer.
"This is the first Embassy complex built in the young capital," Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev said at the opening ceremony.
"Despite our 1991 separation, we never lost ties of friendship" with Russia, Nazarbayev said. The report was carried by the Kazinform news agency.
The positions of Russia and Kazakhstan "in the world arena always coincide," Nazarbayev said. "There are neither political nor economical problems between our countries."
Kazakhstan remains member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which is led by Russia.
